How to Find the Best Places to Bet on Sports

Updated August 27, 2019

If you’ve ever wondered where to bet on sports, we’ve got you covered. There are a series of essential qualifications your sports betting site should have, and we outline them for you in this introductory guide. With our help, you’ll be able to assess the merits and safety of a sportsbook in no time!

Since your friends may not always be willing to risk their money against your sports genius, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the top 10 legitimate betting web sites that will. Each of these books is highly ranked, reliable, and trustworthy.

Let’s boil it down even further. Where should you bet on sports? You first need to pick a trustworthy sportsbook that meets your unique needs and preferences as a bettor.

Think of this article as a guide to keep in the back of your mind, and pay attention to the following when selecting a sportsbook:

The countries your sportsbook solicits business from

Whether your sportsbook is licensed

How many years your sportsbook has been operating

Options available for deposit

Options available for withdrawal

What types of bets are available

Which bonus options are available

The quality of the customer service department

Whether there are mobile betting options

Which Regions Do My Sports Betting Sites Serve?

Always pick a sportsbook which caters to the country you’re in. Sportsbooks locate their base of operation and obtain licenses from a variety of different regions around the world. Each of these licensing areas has a different set of rules and regulations regarding which countries they are allowed to solicit services from.

Sportsbooks locate their base of operation and obtain licenses from a variety of different regions around the world. Each of these licensing areas has a different set of rules and regulations regarding which countries they are allowed to solicit services from.

Some European books only make their services available to European bettors, while others allow bettors from all over the world. Similarly, there are sports betting sites that exclusively cater to North American bettors.

It’s also important to note that if you’re in North America, picking a North American book will typically allow for a faster betting experience, as you will be in closer to physical proximity to the sportsbook’s servers.

If you’re wondering how to find out which sports betting sites are best for international clientele, don’t worry! Each of our reviews provides this information.

Remember, sportsbooks won’t let you make an initial deposit unless you live in an authorized region.

Is My Sportsbook Legit and Licensed?

Under no circumstances should you ever place a single bet at an unlicensed sportsbook. Without a legitimate license, a sportsbook is beholden to no one. This means that they can take your funds, keeping your deposit and winnings! Each sports betting site we review is fully-licensed and legitimate.

We regularly update our reviews to ensure that sportsbooks are still operating under the purview of a regulatory body. Before you place any bets, always make sure to locate the portion of the website that displays where they’re licensed.

How Old Is My Sportsbook? Do They Guarantee Solvency?

The longer a sportsbook has been around, the safer it is handling your funds. All the sportsbooks we recommend have a proven history of financial solvency. They are trusted actors, and their continued existence is proof of its solvency. If it couldn’t pay out, they simply wouldn’t be in business any longer.

We highly recommend that you stick with one of our reviewed sportsbooks, which have great track records of successfully repaying bettors.

If a sportsbook is brand new, there are always questions that remain unanswered. Throughout the history of online sports betting, there have been tons of unsafe, untrustworthy sportsbooks that have made off with unsuspecting clients’ hard-earned cash. Without a history of managing their money, there’s no guarantee that a sportsbook will be safe or solvent.

For this reason, we highlyrecommend that you stick with one of our reviewed sportsbooks, which have great track records of successfully repaying bettors. Explore the our picks for the most popular sports at the links below:

Further, each sports betting site has deposit minimums and maximums. Some have a small fee incurred for depositing, while others do not. It’s crucial to obtain this information before choosing a sportsbook to avoid any surprises.

For withdrawals, there will also be minimum and maximum withdrawals, as well as varying fees depending on the method you select.

Our reviews will provide you with the facts on both deposits and withdrawals.

What Kind(s) of Bets Can I Place?

With each sportsbook offering different lines and types of bets, figuring out what types you want to place is an essential part of choosing a sportsbook.

If you plan on betting on major North American sports only, we’ve got you covered. Every sportsbook we recommend will allow extensive betting options on these leagues.

However, sportsbooks do vary on what sports are available to bet on. Not every sportsbook will allow bets on Australian Greyhound Racing. Some may offer bets on Division-1 German Hockey. Looking to bet on some interactive games? Many sports betting sites will have a casino section.

If you’re looking to bet on more obscure sports, you simply have to do your research.

Don’t Settle for the First Sportsbook You Find

Some sportsbooks have more betting options than others, while others have more developed props, futures, parlays, and teaser options. Make sure that your sportsbook is able to facilitate these types of bets for you.

Many sportsbooks have fully-developed live betting options. If this is something that piques your interest, read our reviews to find out what where this is available.

What Types of Bonuses Are Best for Me?

When choosing a sportsbook, make sure you’re aware of all the different bonus options and which suit your needs and goals best.

Sportsbooks offer a wide variety of bonuses, but all of them provide a unique form of value. When choosing a sportsbook, make sure you’re aware of all the different bonus options and which suit your needs and goals best.

What Kinds of Sports Betting Bonuses Are Available?

Here’s a quick preview of the different types of bonuses out there waiting for you:

Sign-Up Bonuses

Free Bets

Reload Bonuses

Refer-a-friend Bonuses

Standard Price Bet Bonus

Accumulator Bonus

Live-Bet Bonuses

Mobile Bonuses

Hidden Bonuses

Risk-free Wager Bonus

Bitcoin Bonuses

Seasonal Bonuses

What Quality of Customer Service Should I Expect?

Always take the caliber of a sportsbook’s customer service into consideration. Most beginner sports bettors are bound to have a question or two and will need some clarification on a few details. You don’t want to sign up for a sportsbook without a reliable and dedicated customer service department.

You don’t want to sign up for a sportsbook without a reliable and dedicated customer service department.

Some sites promptly reply to phone calls, emails, and live chats 24/7, while some may take a little longer. Some sportsbooks even allow bettors to reach out via social media channels.

It’s possible that your sports betting site of choice has a customer service department that is opaque by design. Maybe it’s set up with a salient set of rules and regulations their representatives are authorized to communicate to their client base.

We’ve contacted the customer service department of every sportsbook we’ve reviewed, so we’re fully equipped to shed some light on which books are eager to help you out, and which ones want to keep you in the dark.

Does My Sportsbook Have Mobile Betting?

If you want to place bets while you’re on the go, it’s essential to learn whether a sportsbook offers a mobile betting option. Computers can be cumbersome, so many bettors are gravitating towards smartphone betting.

Some sportsbooks have dedicated applications for their platforms. Others have an optimized site that works on a smartphone browser.

If you want to wager while on public transport, ensure that your sportsbook lets you place safe and reliable bets.

Start Placing Bets!

Each sportsbook requires you to create an account before wagering anything.

Once you’re set-up, you’ll need to select the sport you wish to bet on and scroll through the events under the sport’s category to find the specific game or event you’re interested in.

Select your event, and the bet will be added to your “bet slip” or “bet card” (depending on the verbiage of the site), typically found on the right-hand side of the screen.

Finished making your selections? Proceed to the bet slip and fill in your stake/risk/wager. These are just fancy words for how much money you would like to bet.

Once you have filled out your desired stake, just click on “place bet”, and you’re good to go! Good luck!

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